In 1903 the Agua Caleinte Cupeno were removed from their ancestral tribal home, the Village of Kupa also known as Warner's Hot Springs. The Cupeno were forced onto the Pala Indian Reservation. This is known as the Cupeno Trail of Tears.
On June 1st, 2011 and February 1st, 2012 162 Warner Ranch Evictee Agua Caliente Cupeno were removed from the PBMI Association by the Pala Enrollment Committee. This is our Second Trail of Tears.

58 comments:

Anonymous
said...

It reads like this guy betrayed the elders and convinced the youth to embrace the white mans ways. Of course we now know also that he had a personal agenda to secure the land via homestead for himself, so basically he decieves the people for personal enrichment, wow sounds familiar, they say history repeats itself!

@6:32 pm you nailed it. As they say the apple does not fall from the tree. Robert Smith claims Domingo Moro as an ancestor. Not only does this disqualify Robert from enrollment but it also shows his true motives. The same as Domingo's...self-enrichment at the expense of the tribe.

I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.It sounds as if Robert Smith being the Chairman that History is repeating its self.Only this time the people are losing a hell of a lot morethan they did back then.The people need to stop history in its tracks and make new history by geting Robert Smith and Theresa Nieto out of the EC now and not wait for any outside hell becauseoutside help will never happen.There are to many excuses after excuses why the people won't lift a finger to stop this white man named Robert Smith from ruining your Reservation.He DOES'T CARE one bit for the cupeno people and he has proven it time and time again by his actions against the cupeno people.He treats the outsiders better than anyone else that has cupeno blood.This white man named Robert Smith needs to be killed either by a bullet or by hanging for what he has done and continues to do on a daily bases.The FBI will not do any thing to help the people in Pala even though they are still considered citizens of the United States of America. The Federal Government says that its a inter Tribal matter a needs to be resolved by the Tribe so the BIA won't get involved.So the only way to solve it is to get Smith and Nieto out by whatever means possible.Which would be either by force or by DEATH.

Why don’t the real cupenos do it then. What the fuck talking shit all the time. They have the real warriors why don’t they do it fuckin trying to put it on different families and then say they don’t even have cupeno blood.

Talk to as many Tribal Members as possible and convince them that what Robert and Nieto and Perez did to disenroll was not legal by no means.Then get on the agenda by hook or by crook and have as many members there that are willing to vote in your favor to re enroll that family .You may have to trust everyone that you talk to and that's the hard part.Print as much info as possible showing what the EC did and explain it to the members and show them how the EC can do the same to any family that they don't like or that doesn't support their agenda.

I still say Genealogy DNA, be done on every single Tribal member, also documented information as to whom and where their Pala blood comes from. Give them a month to get it done or per capita and all Native benefits suspended. Let's get this right this time people.

I agree 5:42. Treat everyone the same and hold everyone to the same standards. What was done to the MB descendants is a travesty and should've never happened. I've spent years looking at all the records from all different sources and i can see all kinds of wrongs with whom remain as tribal members. The Lugos are not Cupeno. Alejandro Barker was a white man and his wife was a Cahuilla. Their descendant, married a man who by the bame of Remijio Lugo to was hired by the government to move the Cupeno and possible the other groups moved later on (San Felipe) to Pala. Remijio was Morongo/Banning. Why would their descendant Teresa Nieto, Dion Perez think they had the right to disenroll people who they have understanding of or even the right to do what they did, because they are ignorant and they continue to act out of ignorance because some people lack basic logic skills. HOLD THOSE LIARS UP TO THE SAME STANDARD AND MAKE THEM PROVE THAT THEY ARE CUPENO...they never will do the right thing because their shit totally and completely stinks. If they were honorable people, they would come to the Brittain descendants, admit their mistakes and work on restoring their rightful place. But, these charlatans will never do the right thing. Dion, you may have the money, the power and the prestige, but to me you will always be an ignorant slug who wronged people because you were caught up in the witch hunt to destroy King. You are the lowest piece of shit. Your piece of shit cousin, is as dumb as you are and she thinks she is so high and mighty. You will forever remain to me a worthless man who destroyed so many peoples lives. I don't know how you or your family can look yourselves in the mirror. Good luck in the afterlife. Im sure you will pay for your crimes against the Cupeno, which you are not a part of.

I've known too many people who were NEVER ENROLLED until per capita, some who really have no Pala blood much less Native blood. My family was only allowed to use 1 parents bloodline, however our other parent also has quite a bit of Pala blood so if others were allowed to use both parents even if the other parent was enrolled somewhere else, then so should we.

If Robert Smith says that the Cupeno and the Luiseno are considered one people then why wern't the Trujillo members allowed to use there Great Grand Fathers Luceno blood to stay enrolled in Pala.The EC has used this formula before to keep others enrolled but refuse to allow some of the people to use this formula to stay enrolled.Double standards are used by the EC depending on who you are.

If Theresa and Dion were smart on behalf of all the Lugos they should reinstate the Brittains and then leave enrollment alone for everyone who was enrolled as of 2001 the first year the casino opened. Members enrolled after that especially in the past 6-7 years need to be looked at because that’s when Robert started illegally enrolling his supporters children, grandchildren without enough blood so he could get their support and stay in power. That is SO wrong for Robert to disenroll a legitimate family who should be enrolled because they don’t support him and then enroll his supporters kids and grandkids because they vote his way even though they don’t have enough blood. He also looks the other way when his supporters bloodline is in question like Cindy Leal and Jimbo goodpasture. This is how Robert and Theresa keep getting re-elected and why they have such die hard supporters at the meetings because many of these people know they are only enrolled as long as Robert is in power and they will do anything to keep him in power to stay enrolled and take what’s rightfully ours. I’m not saying all the rumors are true but the bloodlines in question like Cindy Leal and Jimbo goodpasture should at least be looked into just like they did with the Brittains even though it was the EC rob and Theresa that questioned it and sent request to the BIA and went around standard procedure by having everything handed to the tribal secretary Kilma after they received it and looked at it first. ASK KILMA HE WILL TELL YOU THE SHADY WAY THEY HANDLED THE BRITTAINS DISENROLLMENT AND HOW THE BIA SENT A LETTER TO ROBERT THAT HE CANNOT USE THE 1928 CENSUS ROLLS FOR ENROLLMENT PURPOSES AFTER HE REQUESTED IT. SO ROBERT JUST STATED MB WAS 1/2 CUPENO AND WOULDNT PUT DOWN A REASON with supporting documents because he didn’t want the Brittains to be able to dispute whatever reason he gave. Even to this day when asked he just says that matter is closed and will not give an actual reason so you have a chance to question it or dispute with all the facts and documents that state otherwise that MB was fullblood CUPENO and her children were 1/2 CUPENO. The BIA, ASIA, DOI census experts have all stated this. At Pala there is a dual standard when it comes to everything and there will be no change for the better as far as enrollment or our economic future as long as Robert and Theresa are in power. I don’t know how or when change will happen but I know it is only a matter of time but the sooner the better because things will continue to get worse.

Robert Theresa and Dion will not always be in power, maybe this year or years from now so they are just making consequences for their families and their children and grandchildren to pay the price for what they have done and made so many enemies at Pala. Buy them trying to get rid of an opposing family they have caused people to look into their family and now they have questionable enrollment which can be used against them when they are no longer on the EC to block it. I don’t know if they’re into deep with all the money that’s gone missing but they should start to think about the future and start fixing their mistakes and working on putting things back to the way they were pre-2012 to make sure it doesn’t come back to bite them in the ass later on or their family. The way they have it right now in the example they have shown is that whichever family is in power can do whatever they want to the opponents and tribal members so they better hope they’re not on the other end in the future.

I say screw the waiting, just go to a meeting and make a motion to investigate the blood degree of Cindy Lealand Jimbo Goodpasture for starters and in the motion state that all the facts and evidence be given to a special committee appointed by the General Membership at said meeting because if it is given to the EC members it will never reach the people. The special appointed committee can examine the results of the investigation and to make a decision on the out come and then give the outcome to the EC to take action against whatever the the special committee recommends.You are the power General Membership according to the governing documents of the Band so use the power given to you to bring justice to the PBMI.There are some well educated Tribal Members that are enrolled in the PBMI and could do this job with ease.You don't need no high priced Lawyers to do this only the votes and the backing of the General Membership.You can have 1 or 2 members from 5 of the largest families that are enrolled and not be biased in anyway.

Don't worry, the rumor at the Casino is the new "manager" is going to cut all the promotions out. No more car giveaways, no more high roller free drinks at the dinners and many other cuts. They will lose more business and there won't be any money to hand out. They've already tightened the machines up as much as they can. They aren't going to punish Robert, just the customers and employees...that Casino is a dead man walking.

Robert wants Pala to fall, he wants the people to suffer, and if they do not do something soon, they will really suffer. Open your eyes, stop denying this man is evil and get rid of him before he completely destroys Pala. Pala as most knew it is already gone, but you still have some good people there, band together and oust the EC.

To all Pala Members, The path has been set and there is almost no way around it. The casino is set for bankruptcy in the near future. The casino will remain open and co to use to make money but that money will go towards operating costs and paying back any outstanding loans and debt. The tribe may get a small operating budget but there will be no percap or excess money for any tribal benefits. Look it up this has happened before with non tribal and tribal gaming. When a casino owes more than it can afford to pay out they file bankruptcy and or go into reorganization where all non essential money is cut. This is the path you are on and I am not sure it can even be stopped. That ship may have sailed a while ago when you all should have done something and had a change in leadership. Only Robert and Theresa know how bad it is and I promise you they will not suffer and have set aside what they need to be taken care after Pala falls. The percap will drop again later this year once they have given you time to adjust to the new amount. Then it will be taken away completely until Pala can get back on its feet. He plans on saying its only for a year or so. Your future is up to you, Pala’s future is up to you. Do not wait until it is too late as that time is quickly coming upon you. I doubt anyone will step up and the only ones that have stepped up have not had much success because to many tribal members are afraid to back them. Even though Robert and Theresa did this...you all did it!! Because you sat by and allowed it to happen even with all the warnings.

Kill the fat PIG and his Turkey looking partner AKA,Owl Face Nieto.But don;t eat the meat it will make you sicker than hell.Just throw both in a large fire pit and have a fire tender to make sure that there won't even be any ashes left then pour a ton of concrete into the hole and done with the two of them forever. AMEN

I'll bet Roberts Mother is really smiling about how her son is screwing the PBMI while burning in that old Satin pit called hell.Robert stop making your mom wait for you any longer, justlay down and die already.

Palas April mailer is out for the Casino....no more Friday car giveaways and no more added play. There are only 3 events on the calendar for April. No monthly giveaways either. Are they trying to drive customers away for some reason?

These are all red flags caused by Robert Smith.Read between the lines and get the fat little German fucker out before he has a chance to hurt anyone else.Why, because talk of disenrollment is spreading like wildfire and another family is going to be put on the chopping block soon.

Robert needs to look into his own family's background before he starts trying to disenroll again. I would assume with all the crap he's been pulling has to have gained attention from someone high up, he'd be pretty stupid to disenroll more people.

Know matter how hard you try, you can't fix stupid.So there is no hope for Robert Smith being as stupid as they come.All he is doing is putting his family in harms way by being so stupid.Can't wait for the day when Robert Smith is either DEAD or is somehow out of the EC along with his fairy tale wife Theresa Nieto then everyone related to him and her will know what it feels like to be disenrolled from the PBMI.It is the only right thing to do and it will be done.

What would even be better than that is when Smith is out and still living in his golden Palace then do the right thing to him and disenroll his fat ass and let him deal with it like the Britten family has.He could never, ever prove that he belongs on the Tribal Roles in Pala.It would be impossible with all that we know about his bloodline.That's what i would call real karma.It is really not that far fetched if you think about it.Once he is out he will be just another Tribal member like everyone else so why not punish his lying German ass.

I just heard that the vehicle that Gosher is living in is registered to none other than Robert H. Smith your honorable Chairman.So this makes Smith accountable for actions concerning this vehicle.Maybe Smith is connected to the druggies in North San Diego county after all.If anyone complains they will be dealt with by Smith.

It just pisses me off. My family was told to get rid of the old cars that weren't running because they were an eyesore, which is fine because I agree. However, that damn beat up car is on the main road, EVERYONE knows who and what Gosher is, so why is this being allowed? It looks so trashy.

So having allotted land makes it okay to have open sewerponds and illegal Mexicans and other lowlifes living in the little TJ trailer park.So go ahead and complain and call a tow truck to remove Goshers Condo.And we will complain and call Border Patrol and ICE to remove the illegals living in Pala.This vehicle in question can't rape or abuse our family members,especially our children but the illegals can.

Wow, must be a Robert follower. No, it us not okay to have open sewers and illegals living in little TJ, however it is private land so the laws are different. Goshers condo is on Tribal land or county property and is subject to the same laws as any Tribal member. As for Goshers character....hmmm..he has been involved in the same violations such as rape, murder (Bobby Allen ring a bell?), drugs and a known snitch.

Allotment or trust land does make a difference. It’s rather your on Roberts good side or not determines what you can and can’t do in Pala. He has no problem breaking policy or being fair when it comes to rewarding those that support him and punishing those that oppose him. I know someone who use to work for tribal maintenance and one day he grabbed a work order/request from the office stack and went to work on this tribal members yard. He soon got a phone call from our not so honorable chairman cursing him out and telling him “what the F@‘# are you doing there he’s against me and gets no work from me.”. “Leave right now and go over to goodpasture he has some work for you”. Robert is like a big child and if you don’t side with him he will make sure you don’t receive any tribal services or make it difficult for you to get any when you are entitled to them as a member. He denies members water and gas hook ups because they don’t support him. Also it is true about future disenrollments. As we all know the EC is requesting everyone’s birth certificate so he can go through them and look for any reason to disenroll. He can only lower the percap so much without people rioting and he still needs to save more money from the debt he put us in so he will disenroll and stop paying more members to save the money. The January cut saves him around $1.5 mil a month in percap payments and if he can disenroll another 100 people that could save him another half a mil or more. Find out how many enrolled members we have and how many are receiving percap. The numbers have jumped in recent years because he has falsely enrolled people to get the votes to stay in power. So now he is punishing rightful members by lowering percap and disenrolling so he can pay members that don’t qualify but will vote for him and have their families vote for him.

I totally agree with 3:17 about the little TJ trailer park.The living circumstances there are really deplorable to say the least.This area of Pala can cause so much illness among the people living there and the village of Pala.However the EC will not say any thing about it because the votes from the Lavato family keeps him and Nieto in power.Even the Pala Fire department won't cite anyone living on that property because Smith and Nieto won't allow it to happen.This property is way more important than someone living in a vehicle.But everyone is afraid to stand up to the EC concerning these violations and health risks.

Birth certificates are a start, however it has to go further like an geological DNA test will be even better with proven documentation as to where and whom that blood comes from. People in power can change birth certificates....just saying. And WHO is the person or persons using the birth certificates as a base for enrollment?

His vehicle is just like an old house.Give it a make over.A little TLC a new paint job and of coarse a couple of new tires and you have a nice ride.Better get used to seeing vehicles like this because at the rate Robert is stealing the Bands money everyone will be driving this type of vehicle AGAIN just like the good old days.

News flash-National Indian Gaming Association is no longer approving loan documents just based on Tribal Chair signatures. That is what is going on. Robert borrowed $170,000,000 based on his signature and the NIGC didn't approve it. The lender is now forcing Robert/Us to pay back the loan or else. Ha Ha. So where did the money go? Robert is scared so he is cutting back everything and trying to make good on the loan to save his ass. Damn the tribe he could care less. If the tribe had any guts it would default on the loan and allow the casino to go bankrupt. There are procedures that will allow per capita to continue. All the dirt will be exposed and Robert will either get concrete shoes or prison once everything is exposed. Yes the tribe can and should do this. Bankruptcy is the only thing that will save the tribe now. Again, it will not effect per capita. As a matter of fact per capita could go up.

The Pala Gaming Ordinance says that the Pala Gaming Authority: ..."is a subordinate organization of the Tribe established pursuant to Section 6(A) of the Articles of Association of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. The Authority isan instrumentality of the Tribe which enjoys autonomous existence.

I don't think the General Council actually saw the Gaming Ordinance. I think the GC just voted on the Resolution to approve the Ordinance. I'm pretty sure if I had read this ordinance that it would have set off very loud alarms.

@ 8:18,If the Tribe had any guts it would vote to HAVE AN AUDIT AND AND THEN VOTE TO IMPEACH BOTH,Smith and Theresa Nieto on these grounds and then file charges on both for fraud and stealing and spending most of the 170 millions dollars that they borrowed using the Tribes Casino to secure the loan without the permission of the whole Tribes approval.COME ON IRS AND FBI DO YOUR DAMN JOB AN ARREST THESE TWO CROOKS, PLEASE.I KNOW THAT THE FBI READS THIS AND THE OTHER BLOG SO THEY CAN'T SAY THAT THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF IT.

Don't be so sure about that 12:05AM.I do believe that they will be arrested tried and convicted of the crime committed against the little girlbecause they are guilty and you and they know it.So kiss your daddy goodby.

@ 8:42 AMIt's good to see someone laughing like you.Laugh all you can while backing Smith and his corruption because soon you will be crying like a little baby that wants a tit so suck on because Smith balls won't be around for much longer. i promise you that.

Congratulations 8:42 you are now Pala Idiot No. 1. Only an idiot can't see that other casinos located past Pala are making more money than Pala. Why are people driving past Pala Casino? Because people like you idiot no. 1 won't wake up and realize that Robert Smith is as crooked as they come. Maybe you haven't opened your check lately to see that Robert is running away with another $2 million a month of your money. That does not include the childrens fund and cuts in admin. as well as insurance. Only an idiot like you will be left holding the bag when the casino finally does go bankrupt. It is time for you to realize that when Robert goes down you will go down too. There will be no Robert to offset the losses everyone else realizes and that Robert gives you so you don't have to struggle like the rest of the Pala people. It is coming to an end one way or the other. When we take back control and your name is in Roberts little book then you will be held accountable for crimes against the tribe and you will be cut off from everything as you deserve. So keep it going. Laugh as hard as you want. Soon your wallet will be empty as we recover and enjoy the true benefits of our casino.

It's like i said beforeIt doesn't matter how hard you try you just can not fix STUPID.ROBERT SMITH AND THERESA NIETO ARE GOING DOWN REAL SOON.AND THE SOONER THE BETTER.Maybe after they are locked up for their crimes of stealing from the Federal Government ( any Indian Tribe/BAND)we can try to save whatever is left and try to heal our broken Reservation.How can so many Indian people be so stupid as not to realize what Robert Smith and Theresa Nieto are doing to the Pala Band of Mission Indians.They get away with disenrolling real members of the Bandand no one seems to think that this is wrong.They take the minors trust accounts and again no one questions them.They lower our members Per Capita and no one really questions them.Their spending habits are so far over the top of even a town like Temecula and again no one questions them..Well i have a question, why do we even have an EC, why not make it a free for all so we can at least have a fighting chance at surviving this Prison Camp that Robert Smith has created for us.He is nothing but a FAT BIG that stinks like ass sweat all of the time and his other half is no better than he is aka Theresa Nieto.She is one of the lowest forms of life that ever was.Can't wait to attend their funeral and the sooner the better for the entire PBMI.I wonder how it feels to get away with Murder as everyone knows that Smith knows first hand how it feels.

Fuck them both, i won't even waste my time going to their funeral.I would rather go and watch some one bury a dead dog or a cat.Why be fake a pay your respects to someone that didn't even know the meaning of the word respect.Truly nothing but trash.